Running-gear.



D. G. TATUM.

RUNNING GEAR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 20, 1912.

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Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

RUNNING- GEAR.

noooyzee.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 20, 1912.

Patented Mar. 17,1914. Serial No. 721,427.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL G. TATUM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hendersonville, in the county of Henderson and State of North Carolina, have invented new and useful Improvements in Running- Gears, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to running gears and the principal object of the invention is to provide simple and efficient means whereby the front wheel may completely rotate.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel arrangement of springs and axle coupling which permits the front axle of the vehicle to rotate completely on the king pin, whereby short turns may be made.

Further objects of this invention will appear as the following specific description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this application, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section showing the improved type of running gear. Fig. 2 is atop plan View thereof with the body removed.

In the specific embodiment of the invention as illustrated herein the rocker plate 9 has mounted thereon a half elliptical spring and the lugs 8 have extending rearwardly therefrom leaf springs 26 which are connected to the angular brace bar 27 seated in the cut out portion 28 of the vehicle body 29. The springs 26 are hinged as shown at 30 to the brace bar 27 and similar springs 31 are hinged to the rear end of the brace bar and are connected to the rear axle 2 by means of bolts 32. The ends of the spring 25 are provided with casings 33 in which are 'slidably mounted the ends of leaf springs 34, the inner ends of which are rigidly connected to brace bars 35. The rear edge of the brace bars 35 have con nected thereto suitable leaf springs 36 which are freely engaged between rollers 37 and 38 carried upon the rear, axle. The casings 33 are preferably provided with a through pin 39 which is adapted to pass through a slot 40 in the ends of the springs 34, although it will be readily understood that the same idea of connecting the springs 25 and 34 may be observed, as is carried out in connecting the springs 36 with the axle 2.

What is claimed is 1. In combination, front and rear axles, a fifth wheel connected to the front axle, a rocker member mounted for horizontal pivoting upon the fifth wheel, a spring mounted upon the rocker member, springs sliclably engaged with the same and with the rear axle, and a body mounted upon the springs.

2. In combination, an undercut vehicle body having front and rear axles, a fifth wheel secured to the front axle, a rocker member mounted upon the fifth wheel for horizontally pivoting, a spring mounted upon the rocker member, springs slidably engaged with the same and with the rear axle and extending throughout the under out portion of the body and connected thereto, a frame extending throughout the under out portion of the body, and spring members hinged to the frame and rigidly connected to the rocker member and rear axle.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DANIEL GODFREY TATUM.

Witnesses C. S. FULLBRIGHT. W. A. YOUNG.

flopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patente,

Washington, D. G. 

